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Rhyl Journal
2 hours ago
- Sport
- Rhyl Journal
Story not done yet, says emotional Leah Williamson as England celebrate Euro win
There was an open-top bus parade just after midday, as thousands of fans flocked to see the procession along the Mall, before a staged ceremony at the Queen Victoria Memorial in front of Buckingham Palace. The moment was not lost on Williamson as she held back tears among the revelry, less than 48 hours after the Lionesses retained their European Championship crown by beating Spain in the Basel final on penalties. Proud 🥹 — Lionesses (@Lionesses) July 29, 2025 The England captain said: 'I'm holding back tears. I've been crying all the way down the Mall. This is unbelievable and it's one of the best things we've ever been a part of so thanks for coming out. 'Everything we do, we do it for us and our team but we do it for the country and young girls. This job never existed 30 or 40 years ago and we're making history every single step. Stay with us, this story is not done yet.' England showed incredible defiance throughout the tournament, from bouncing back from their opening defeat to France and demonstrating their never-say-die attitude in the knockout stages. They trailed 2-0 in the quarters to Sweden and 1-0 to Italy in the semis as well as going behind in the showpiece against Spain only to battle back to make sure they kept the trophy they won three years ago. Williamson told the crowd: 'There's lots of ways to win a football match and we repeatedly did it the hard way. 'But you can see how much we care about playing for England and how much we love it – 2022 was a fairy tale but this feels really hard-earned and we're very proud of ourselves so thank you and we hope you are, too. 'The first game maybe rocked us a little bit but I just think we're special people and we love each other, we've got each others' back on and off the pitch. We had tough moments, nasty things to deal with and still we rise.' It was a third consecutive European Championship crown for England head coach Sarina Wiegman, who led the Netherlands to glory in 2017. She said: 'It was chaos. I hoped a little less chaos but they didn't keep their promise to finish things quicker! We just kept having hope and belief and they just showed up when it was really necessary and urgent. 'There is a huge talent pool in this team. In 2022 we had great bonding but I think that made the absolute difference now: everyone was ready to step up and support each other. It was amazing to be a part of.' Goalkeeper Hannah Hampton was so instrumental in keeping Spain at bay in a 1-1 draw as well as the 3-1 final shootout success. Asked what she was thinking ahead of penalties, she replied: 'Just do whatever I can for the team – they ran around for 120 minutes and I've got it easy just standing still in my own 18-yard box.' She added: 'Don't let people tell you what you can and can't do. If you've got a dream and you really believe it, go out and do it. I did it. 'I got told many times that I'm not good enough and I shouldn't be playing football from the start. Keep doing it and if it makes you happy, go follow that smile.' Teenager Michelle Agyemang was named best young player of the tournament after scoring late levellers in England's quarter-final against Sweden and then Italy in the semis. All for this moment! ❤️ — Lionesses (@Lionesses) July 29, 2025 The 19-year-old said: 'I don't know what to say. It's surreal, it doesn't seem real seeing people down there. It's crazy to see what we've done and be here today.' The talismanic Lucy Bronze added: 'This moment is unbelievable. We did it three years ago but to do it again and to come back to this is just incredible.' Asked how this party compared to three years ago, Bronze replied: 'I don't remember.'
Leader Live
8 hours ago
- Sport
- Leader Live
Story not done yet, says emotional Leah Williamson as England celebrate Euro win
There was an open-top bus parade just after midday, as thousands of fans flocked to see the procession along the Mall, before a staged ceremony at the Queen Victoria Memorial in front of Buckingham Palace. The moment was not lost on Williamson as she held back tears among the revelry, less than 48 hours after the Lionesses retained their European Championship crown by beating Spain in the Basel final on penalties. Proud 🥹 — Lionesses (@Lionesses) July 29, 2025 The England captain said: 'I'm holding back tears. I've been crying all the way down the Mall. This is unbelievable and it's one of the best things we've ever been a part of so thanks for coming out. 'Everything we do, we do it for us and our team but we do it for the country and young girls. This job never existed 30 or 40 years ago and we're making history every single step. Stay with us, this story is not done yet.' England showed incredible defiance throughout the tournament, from bouncing back from their opening defeat to France and demonstrating their never-say-die attitude in the knockout stages. They trailed 2-0 in the quarters to Sweden and 1-0 to Italy in the semis as well as going behind in the showpiece against Spain only to battle back to make sure they kept the trophy they won three years ago. Williamson told the crowd: 'There's lots of ways to win a football match and we repeatedly did it the hard way. 'But you can see how much we care about playing for England and how much we love it – 2022 was a fairy tale but this feels really hard-earned and we're very proud of ourselves so thank you and we hope you are, too. 'The first game maybe rocked us a little bit but I just think we're special people and we love each other, we've got each others' back on and off the pitch. We had tough moments, nasty things to deal with and still we rise.' It was a third consecutive European Championship crown for England head coach Sarina Wiegman, who led the Netherlands to glory in 2017. She said: 'It was chaos. I hoped a little less chaos but they didn't keep their promise to finish things quicker! We just kept having hope and belief and they just showed up when it was really necessary and urgent. 'There is a huge talent pool in this team. In 2022 we had great bonding but I think that made the absolute difference now: everyone was ready to step up and support each other. It was amazing to be a part of.' Goalkeeper Hannah Hampton was so instrumental in keeping Spain at bay in a 1-1 draw as well as the 3-1 final shootout success. Asked what she was thinking ahead of penalties, she replied: 'Just do whatever I can for the team – they ran around for 120 minutes and I've got it easy just standing still in my own 18-yard box.' She added: 'Don't let people tell you what you can and can't do. If you've got a dream and you really believe it, go out and do it. I did it. 'I got told many times that I'm not good enough and I shouldn't be playing football from the start. Keep doing it and if it makes you happy, go follow that smile.' Teenager Michelle Agyemang was named best young player of the tournament after scoring late levellers in England's quarter-final against Sweden and then Italy in the semis. All for this moment! ❤️ — Lionesses (@Lionesses) July 29, 2025 The 19-year-old said: 'I don't know what to say. It's surreal, it doesn't seem real seeing people down there. It's crazy to see what we've done and be here today.' The talismanic Lucy Bronze added: 'This moment is unbelievable. We did it three years ago but to do it again and to come back to this is just incredible.' Asked how this party compared to three years ago, Bronze replied: 'I don't remember.'
South Wales Guardian
a day ago
- Sport
- South Wales Guardian
Story not done yet, says emotional Leah Williamson as England celebrate Euro win
There was an open-top bus parade just after midday, as thousands of fans flocked to see the procession along the Mall, before a staged ceremony at the Queen Victoria Memorial in front of Buckingham Palace. The moment was not lost on Williamson as she held back tears among the revelry, less than 48 hours after the Lionesses retained their European Championship crown by beating Spain in the Basel final on penalties. Proud 🥹 — Lionesses (@Lionesses) July 29, 2025 The England captain said: 'I'm holding back tears. I've been crying all the way down the Mall. This is unbelievable and it's one of the best things we've ever been a part of so thanks for coming out. 'Everything we do, we do it for us and our team but we do it for the country and young girls. This job never existed 30 or 40 years ago and we're making history every single step. Stay with us, this story is not done yet.' England showed incredible defiance throughout the tournament, from bouncing back from their opening defeat to France and demonstrating their never-say-die attitude in the knockout stages. They trailed 2-0 in the quarters to Sweden and 1-0 to Italy in the semis as well as going behind in the showpiece against Spain only to battle back to make sure they kept the trophy they won three years ago. Williamson told the crowd: 'There's lots of ways to win a football match and we repeatedly did it the hard way. 'But you can see how much we care about playing for England and how much we love it – 2022 was a fairy tale but this feels really hard-earned and we're very proud of ourselves so thank you and we hope you are, too. 'The first game maybe rocked us a little bit but I just think we're special people and we love each other, we've got each others' back on and off the pitch. We had tough moments, nasty things to deal with and still we rise.' It was a third consecutive European Championship crown for England head coach Sarina Wiegman, who led the Netherlands to glory in 2017. She said: 'It was chaos. I hoped a little less chaos but they didn't keep their promise to finish things quicker! We just kept having hope and belief and they just showed up when it was really necessary and urgent. 'There is a huge talent pool in this team. In 2022 we had great bonding but I think that made the absolute difference now: everyone was ready to step up and support each other. It was amazing to be a part of.' Goalkeeper Hannah Hampton was so instrumental in keeping Spain at bay in a 1-1 draw as well as the 3-1 final shootout success. Asked what she was thinking ahead of penalties, she replied: 'Just do whatever I can for the team – they ran around for 120 minutes and I've got it easy just standing still in my own 18-yard box.' She added: 'Don't let people tell you what you can and can't do. If you've got a dream and you really believe it, go out and do it. I did it. 'I got told many times that I'm not good enough and I shouldn't be playing football from the start. Keep doing it and if it makes you happy, go follow that smile.' Teenager Michelle Agyemang was named best young player of the tournament after scoring late levellers in England's quarter-final against Sweden and then Italy in the semis. All for this moment! ❤️ — Lionesses (@Lionesses) July 29, 2025 The 19-year-old said: 'I don't know what to say. It's surreal, it doesn't seem real seeing people down there. It's crazy to see what we've done and be here today.' The talismanic Lucy Bronze added: 'This moment is unbelievable. We did it three years ago but to do it again and to come back to this is just incredible.' Asked how this party compared to three years ago, Bronze replied: 'I don't remember.'
Metro
a day ago
- Sport
- Metro
Why England hero Jess Carter decided to miss Euro 2025 trophy parade
Lionesses defender Jess Carter was a surprise absentee from England's Euro 2025 trophy parade. Around 65,000 fans and members of the Royal Family attended England's joyous trophy parade in London on Tuesday afternoon. The England squad, which retained their Euros title with a penalty shootout win over Spain, was taken along The Mall in an open-top bus. The players then gathered on a stage in front of the Queen Victoria Memorial outside Buckingham Palace where the merriment continued. All but one of England's Euro-winning squad attended the parade, with Carter a surprise absentee following her crucial performance in the final. There had been scrutiny over Carter's place in the team earlier in the tournament but she justified Sarina Wiegman's faith with an impressive performance against World Cup holders Spain. As well as missing the trophy parade in central London, Carter also missed the England squad's visit to Downing Street on Monday evening. That is because the 27-year-old immediately flew back to the United States after the Euro 2025 final to prepare for another game. Carter's club side Gotham FC return to NWSL action on Saturday with an away match against Chicago Stars. According to talkSPORT, it was Carter's decision not her club's to return straightaway, even though it meant missing two days of celebration back in the UK. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video That appears to be the case as fellow England players Esme Morgan and Anna Moorhouse, who also play club football in America, attended the parade. Carter's decision to miss the celebrations divided England fans, with many saying it was a shame she was not involved after helping the Lionesses become two-time European champions. 'Jess Carter deserves to be there,' one fan posted on X with a crying emoji, while another said: 'I so wish Jess Carter was there to feel the love too.' Others said it was an example of 'elite mentality' from Carter, though there were also complaints about the congested football calendar which gives little time for breaks, even after major tournaments. Carter revealed she would be 'taking a step back from social media' during Euro 2025 due to the racist abuse she was suffering. 'From the start of the tournament I have experienced a lot of racial abuse,' said Carter, who is yet to post following England's Euros victory. 'While I feel every fan is entitled to their opinion on performance and result, I don't agree, or think, it's OK to target someone's appearance or race. 'As a result of this I will be taking a step back from social media and leaving it to a team to deal with.' That abuse – plus the prospect of playing in a Euros final – left Carter 'scared' to even play in Sunday's showpiece event in Basel. 'I was super scared to play today for the first time in my life,' Carter told ITV after the match. 'But when I woke up and I saw my team, and the support I had and the belief I had from my teammates, my family and my manager, I knew I could just come out and give it my all. That's all you can do. 'To have that faith from Sarina to put me back in the squad, and that she believed I could help this team win a trophy, was amazing. It gave me a lot of confidence going into this game.' More Trending Speaking at England's trophy parade, Lionesses captain Leah Williamson said: 'I've been crying all the way down The Mall! 'This is unbelievable, probably one of the best things we've been a part of. We're making history every single step. Stay with us, this story is not done yet.' Chloe Kelly, who scored England's winning penalty against Spain, added: 'This is incredible. Pressure, what pressure? 'It is so good to stand side by side with every single one of these girls throughout the whole tournament, and the staff that you don't see behind the scenes.' For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. MORE: 'What is Sarina doing?!' – Ian Wright 'baffled' by Wiegman decision in Euro 2025 final MORE: Legendary Lioness hero 'tipped for glittering TV career' after Euros 2025 win MORE: When is the next Women's World Cup and where is it being held?
The Independent
a day ago
- Sport
- The Independent
Story not done yet, says emotional Leah Williamson as England celebrate Euro win
An emotional Leah Williamson insisted 'this story is not done yet' as England's celebrations following their Euro 2025 triumph continued in central London on Tuesday. There was an open-top bus parade just after midday, as thousands of fans flocked to see the procession along the Mall, before a staged ceremony at the Queen Victoria Memorial in front of Buckingham Palace. The moment was not lost on Williamson as she held back tears among the revelry, less than 48 hours after the Lionesses retained their European Championship crown by beating Spain in the Basel final on penalties. The England captain said: 'I'm holding back tears. I've been crying all the way down the Mall. This is unbelievable and it's one of the best things we've ever been a part of so thanks for coming out. 'Everything we do, we do it for us and our team but we do it for the country and young girls. This job never existed 30 or 40 years ago and we're making history every single step. Stay with us, this story is not done yet.'
